So, my project list (on the sidebar to the left) is getting rather short. One Anemoi mitten still to knit, a half-finished tea cosy and my laminaria shawl, the pinkness of which, if I am honest, is not growing on me.
Hmm – time for something new. At the weekend a big squooshy bag of subtle, quietly-coloured beigy-grey Jamieson Heather wool arrived, and I immediately stopped everything I was doing and cast on for a Hemlock Ring Blanket. It was a close call between that and Girasole, both by Jared Flood, but in the end the Hemlock Ring won out, largely because of such lovely examples as Bells’s and Michelle’s.
So far I’m loving knitting this! The wool is warm, soft and comforting to work with. It is also chunky, and is flying off the 6mm needles. Maybe it’s because I’m so used to smaller needles and thinner wool, or maybe because it’s so … not pink, but this project feels like a really refreshing change.
I’m planning for it to live on a footstool that is covered in a Shetland tweed check fabric. The blanket will fulfill the dual function of keeping us cosy when needed, and protecting the footstool when we put our afternoon tea tray on it!

Looks so soft and squishy!
What lovely photos! I love what you’ve done with the depth of field in the first one. I must try the Jamieson’s sometime – it looks lovely.
It’s looking gorgeous already. And such a fun knit. I just finished mine in Bendigo 12 Ply Rustic yarn, in the color Russet, a very deep mahogany-redwood color. I went clear to the end of the extended feather and fan chart (70 rows) after the central rosette and it is a wonderful size. Big enough to keep your tootsies warm while you watch TV or read! Can’t wait to see a pic of the finished project. BTW, the hardest part of knitting this blanket? The blocking! Nearly killed me!
I’m itching to cast on something new too (and more substantial than just a mitt or sock) but not sure I could take on such a task as the blanket! Will look forward to seeing your progress.
This is an awesome pattern, I’m looking forward to seeing yours as it gets further along. I yearn for a colourless knit project between each one that’s vivid. Happy knitting!
I just knit this for my brother for Xmas…it is HIGHLY addictive and it really does fly off the needles! I’ll be making another this winter in similar colors as you are using…yay for refreshing knits!
Ooh yum – and great Jaredesque photography
Now thats going to be cosy!
Oh that was a tough choice, I love them both. I think your color choice is gorgeous.
Thanks for stopping by my blog, it’s been an interesting year fitting it in around everything else that has been going on. Love the hemlock ring blanket by the way and can’t wait to see it all done.
That is going to be beautiful!
Yes it does look like it will be just beautiful (like all your other things!)
Very pretty – great photos too! It makes me want to cast on for a wooly blanket…
looks beautiful, soft and fluffy
Yay! Beautiful work Anna! I’m making one of these too and it is so much fun – I really love this natural, heathered color – so beautiful and so appropriate. The one I’m working on is a gift, but I’d love to make another for Tad & I in this type of yarn.
This blanket is such a lovely design. And I love the intended use for it. Looking forward to seeing the end result.
ooh, that’s going to be beautiful! The colour is so lovely.
I’m all for casting on whatever the urge tells you to – who wrote the rule that says you have to finish one before starting another?!
Looks wonderful, love the yarn you chose. Also reminds me that I intended making one this winter too!
You made me smile
I never thought I’d get to be the kind of knitter who’d inspire anyone. I was just chatting with my sister and she is about to cast on for this also! Your colour choice is very nice – have fun!